Timepiece with integral molded wristband

[0001] This U.S. Patent Application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/986,660, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 9, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,775 and entitled Timepiece With Integral Molded Wristband, such prior U.S. Patent Application being entirely incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a wrist-worn timepiece. The invention concerns, more particularly, a wrist-worn timepiece having a configuration that permits air to circulate between the timepiece and the wrist.

[0004] 2. Description of Background Art

[0005] A conventional wrist-worn timepiece, typically referred to as a watch, may be designed to perform both aesthetically and functionally during a variety of activities. Dress watches, for example, are designed to have a fashionable appearance that is appropriate for business or social gatherings. Diving watches are designed to be particularly durable and to withstand the high pressure environments often encountered by deep-sea divers. Sport watches are lightweight and worn by athletes during training or competitions.

[0006] The components of a conventional watch typically include a timing element, a case, and a wristband. The timing element is located within the case and functions to track the time and display the time for a wearer or another individual. The case protects the timing element and often includes a transparent face for viewing a time display on the timing element. The wristband extends from opposite sides of the case and secures the case and timing element to a wrist of the wearer.

[0007] Although the majority of watches include a timing element, a case, and a wristband, modem watch designs include many variations upon the components. The timing element, for example, may be mechanical, electrical, or a combination of mechanical and electrical. The wristband may have a clasp that secures the watch to the wrist or an open, bracelet-like configuration. Furthermore, the materials that form the various components may include both polymers and metals.

[0008] Sport watches are often used during athletic activities where they may encounter prolonged exposure to perspiration. Accordingly, sport watches may include variations that counter the negative effects of perspiration. For example, perspiration that collects between the watch and the wrist may cause discomfort to the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,500 to Webb, Jr. discloses a watch that is releasably-attached to a cloth-like wristband in order to absorb perspiration. U.S. Pat. No. 2,184,060 to H. Singer discloses a wristband with cushioning members that permit air to circulate between a limited portion of the wrist and the wristband. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,342,804 to A. W. Hiller; 2,328,785 to W. T. Cozart; and 5,638,342 to Kartsotis et al.

[0009] The invention is a timepiece having a case, a wristband, and at least a first separating element. The case includes a timing element for tracking and displaying time. The wristband, which is formed integral with the case, is a bracelet-style wristband and secures the timepiece to a wrist of a wearer. The wristband includes a first extension and a second extension that extend from opposite sides of the case. The first separating element may be located on the case to form at least one separation between the wristband and the wrist, the separation permitting air to ventilate an area between the wristband and the wrist.

[0010] In addition to the first separating element, the timepiece may also include a second separating element and a third separating element located on ends of extensions. Together, the three separating elements form a three-point contact with the wrist that prevents the case and wristband from making substantial contact with the wrist. In essence, the three separating elements form a separation between the timepiece and the wrist that facilitates ventilation by permitting the entry of air.

[0011] The separating elements may have a smooth surface that contacts the wrist. Advantageously, however, the separating elements may also have a textured surface that permits air to circulate between the separating elements and the wrist. The added circulation from the texturing further advances the ventilated properties of the timepiece.

[0012] The first and second extensions, in conjunction with the separating elements, are configured to secure the timepiece to the wrist without the necessity of a clasp. In general, the extensions flex outward when the timepiece is positioned on the wrist and place an inward pressure on the separating elements. The separating elements may be formed of a material that has relatively high friction properties when in contact with the wrist. Accordingly, significant movement of the timepiece is restricted by the inward pressure of the extensions and the friction properties of the separating elements.

[0013] The various advantages and features of novelty that characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty that characterize the present invention, however, reference should be made to the descriptive matter and accompanying drawings which describe and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, a timepiece in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. Timepiece 100, depicted in FIGS. 1–4, is a sport watch intended to be used during athletic training or competition. One skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts disclosed below are applicable to a wide range of watches, in addition to sport watches.

[0020] Timepiece 100 includes a case 110, a timing element 120 located within case 110, a wristband 130, and three separating elements 140. In general, the various components are configured such that separating elements 140 form the primary points of contact between timepiece 100 and a wrist of a wearer. As best depicted in FIG. 3, separating elements 140 are positioned such that a separation 200 is formed between the wrist (depicted in cross-section) and other portions of timepiece 100, including case 110 and wristband 130.

[0021] In a conventional watch, the case and wristband typically contact the wrist around substantially all of the circumference of the wrist. During exercise, other strenuous activities, or long periods of wear, perspiration may collect between the watch and the wrist. Separation 200, however, which is formed by separating elements 140, permits air to freely enter a substantial portion of the area between timepiece 100 and the wrist, thereby ventilating and reducing the quantity of perspiration that collects between timepiece 100 and the wrist.

[0022] Case 110 may be formed to have any practical shape ranging from round to angular. The primary purposes of case 110 are to receive timing element 120 and provides timing element 120 with a protective housing. Accordingly, case 110 includes a recess 112 configured to receive timing element 120. In order to protect timing element 120, case 110 or timing element 120 may include a transparent cover 114 that permits the wearer and other individuals to view the time displayed by time element 120.

[0023] The primary purpose of timing element 120 is to track and display time. In FIGS. 3 and 4, timing element 120 is depicted as having an analog display. Alternatively, timing element 120 may display time in a digital manner or in both an analog and a digital manner. Timing element 120 may also perform one or more alternate functions in addition to tracking and displaying time. The alternate functions include, for example, performing as a stopwatch, monitoring the heart rate of the wearer, calculating distance traveled, functioning as a calculator, providing audible signals to pace the running speed of the wearer, gauging the temperature of surrounding air, displaying altitude, and functioning as a global positioning system.

[0024] Wristband 130 is formed integral with case 110 and includes two extensions 132 that extend from opposite sides of case 110. Alternatively, case 110 and wristband 130 may be formed separately. Extensions 132 may have a variable thickness to facilitate greater bending in specific areas. For example, extensions 132 may be designed with greater thickness in portions adjacent to case 110 and separating elements 140 and lesser thickness between case 110 and separating elements 140 to facilitate bending in mid-portions of extensions 132. Each extension 132 wraps around opposite sides of the wrist to secure timepiece 100 to the wearer. Conventional watches often include a clasp that connects the two extensions of the wristband. Although timepiece 100 may include such a clasp, wristband 130 is configured to remain securely positioned on the wrist without a clasp. Timepieces that do not include a clasp, but securely attach to the wrist using a wristband formed of two semi-rigid extensions, are referred to as having a bracelet-style wristband for purposes of the present discussion. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,189,096 to A. Alonge; 2,553,089 to W. R. Holder; 4,627,739 to Shingo et al.; 4,879,702 to Gardner; and 6,216,490 to Radley-Smith disclose examples of bracelet-style wristbands.

[0025] The material chosen for case 110 and wristband 130 should be durable and have a pliability that permits the wearer to separate extensions 132 and place timepiece 100 on the wrist. In addition, the material should have sufficient rigidity to ensure that timepiece 100 then remains securely positioned on the wrist. Suitable materials for case 110 and wristband 130 include polymers such as nylon, TPU, TPR, polycarbonate, and polyester. Another suitable material is XYLEX, a polyester-polycarbonate blend manufactured by General Electric Plastics, located at One Plastics Avenue in Pittsfield, Mass. In addition polymer materials, case 110 and wristband 130 may be formed from metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or the like.

[0026] The space or distance between the ends of extensions 132 is a relevant consideration when determining the ease with which timepiece 100 may be placed upon the wrist or determining whether timepiece 100 will remain securely positioned following placement upon the wrist. The space, when timepiece 100 is in a natural, unstretched configuration, should fall within the range of 5 to 75 millimeters, but may be between 12 and 50 millimeters. If a series of timepieces 100 are made for differing wrist sizes, the space may vary depending upon the wrist size for which a specific timepiece 100 is designed. For example, the distance across the space when timepiece 100 is in a natural, unstretched configuration may be 12.5 millimeters for a small size watch, 13.25 millimeters for a medium size watch, and 16.5 millimeters for a large size watch.

[0027] Separating elements 140 are located on the portions of case 110 and wristband 130 that lie adjacent to the wrist. The primary functions of separating elements 140 are to contact the wrist and form separation 200 between timepiece 100 and the wrist. As noted, separation 200 permits air to freely enter the area between timepiece 100 and the wrist, thereby ventilating and reducing the quantity of perspiration that collects between timepiece 100 and the wrist. Accordingly, separating elements should be positioned such that separation 200 is formed around substantially the entire circumference of the wrist. In one configuration that forms a sufficient separation 200, the various separating elements 140 may be positioned, as in FIG. 2, such that separating element 140a is located adjacent an end of extension 130a and contacts a lower portion of the wrist; separating element 140b is located adjacent an end of extension 130b and also contacts the lower portion of the wrist; and separating element 140c is located on case 110 and contacts an upper portion of the wrist. In addition to forming separation 200, separating elements 140 enhance the fit of timepiece 100 and ensure that case 110 and wristband 130 securely grip the wrist, thereby securely positioning timepiece 100.

[0028] In the positions disclosed above, separating elements 140 form a three-point contact with the wrist. In further embodiments, a greater or lesser number of separating elements 140 may be used. The three-point contact, however, ensures that separation 200 is formed between timepiece 100 and the wrist, but also limits the total area of contact between timepiece 100 and the wrist to the area of the three separating elements 140. Five separating elements 140, for example, would increase the area of contact, thereby eliminating a portion of the benefit gained from separation 200.

[0029] Separating elements 140 may be formed integral with case 110 and wristband 130. Alternatively, separating elements 140 may be discrete elements that are formed separately and subsequently attached to case 110 and wristband 130. As depicted in FIGS. 1–4, separating elements 140a and 140b are formed separately and attached to apertures 134 formed in the ends of extensions 132. Separating element 140c, however, is formed integral with case 110. In addition, separating elements 140 may be formed with a smooth surface that contacts the wrist or a textured surface, potentially formed by indentations, that permits air to pass between portions of separating elements 140 and the wrist.

[0030] In order to ensure secure positioning of timepiece 100, the wrist should have greater dimensions than the area interior to separating elements 140 when timepiece 100 is not being worn. Under these conditions, the wrist exerts an outward force on separating elements 140a and 140b when timepiece 100 is worn. The outward force, consequently, induces extensions 132 to flex outward, thereby maintaining separation 200 between extensions 132 and the wrist. Similarly, separating elements 140 exert an equal, inward force on the wrist due to the flexion in extensions 130. The wrist, however, is formed of flesh and has a tendency to yield to inward forces. Accordingly, separating elements 140 may have a tendency to press into the wrist, thereby reducing separation 200 between timepiece 100 and the wrist. To prevent separating elements 140 from being engulfed by the wrist, separating elements 140 should be designed to have sufficient height to overcome the tendency of the wrist to yield inward.

[0031] The material that forms separating elements 140 should have sufficient rigidity to resist significant deformation when making contact with the wrist. In addition, separating elements 140 may benefit from a material that has relatively high friction properties when contacting the wrist, especially when the wrist is damp from perspiration, such as silicone.

[0032] The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of preferred embodiments. The purpose served by disclosure of the preferred embodiments, however, is to provide an example of the various aspects embodied in the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.